Palliative care in Irish nursing homes: the work of community clinical nurse specialists

Aim To assess the current level of input from community-based clinical nurse specialists in palliative care into nursing homes in the Republic of Ireland. Method A national survey was undertaken with questionnaires distributed via the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery database. The total population was 114 community-based clinical nurse specialists in palliative care. Findings Sixty-three completed questionnaires were returned achieving a 55% response rate. All respondents had undertaken work with nursing homes. The main focus of interactions with nursing homes was on pain and symptom management and this was often provided by telephone. The majority of nurses were involved exclusively in care of patients with cancer, although 40% of respondents cared for patients with non-malignant diseases. Conclusions As populations age and more people end their lives in residential care settings, this area of care has increasing relevance. The dissemination of palliative care best practice would ensure that all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, receive the benefits of palliative care at the end of life. Clinical nurse specialists are ideally placed to provide education and support to nursing homes and other residential care settings for older people.